Deputy General Counsel

Working Title: Deputy General Counsel
Job Class: Staff Attorney 3
Agency: Office of Higher Education

• Job ID: 73134

• Location: St. Paul

• Full/Part Time: Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted: 01/23/2024

• Closing Date: 02/12/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Office of Higher Education / MAPE

• Division/Unit: Legal and Compliance

• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift

• Days of Work: Monday - Friday

• Travel Required: Yes; Up to 25%, mostly within the State of Minnesota

• Salary Range: $40.49 - $60.05 / hourly; $84,543 - $125,384 / annually

• Classified Status: Classified

• Telework Eligible: Yes; but may need to make appearances in court within Minnesota

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

Job Summary

We are a mission-focused agency looking to hire a Deputy General Counsel to join our growing legal team.

As a Deputy General Counsel for the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, your primary assignment will be to provide legal expertise and support to the SELF Loan and Financial Services divisions. You will provide focused support related to bond issuance and compliance, and proactively monitoring and ensuring compliance with loan licensing laws and regulations of other states. You will also be responsible for monitoring compliance with federal and state regulations related to the SELF Loan program.

Duties Include:

• Oversee new and existing SELF program bond issuances, ensuring compliance with all document provisions, relevant laws, policies, procedures and other regulations.

• Proactively monitor and ensure agency compliance with student loan licensing laws and regulations of other states.

• Monitor and ensure compliance with student loan servicing contracts and servicing regulations, generally.

• Legal support to the Agency as requested, including backup for the Staff Attorney or the General Counsel.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or Master of Law (LL.M), as applicable.

• A license in good standing in Minnesota state courts, or a license in good standing from another state with the ability to be admitted to Minnesota without examination within six months of hire, or a license in good standing from another state with the ability to obtain a house counsel license within six months of hire.

• Three (3) years relevant legal experience, with a specialized knowledge of bond issuance, bond compliance, finance, public, finance, consumer lending, regulatory compliance and/or other area relevant to this position,
  • or at least two years of the above relevant experience with an MBA in finance or related graduate work

• Familiarity with the working and activities of government programs.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

• Highly developed human relations and collaborative skills to effectively work with diverse interests in settings with multiple outcome goals.

• Team building and leadership skills necessary to bring together diverse interests to accomplish contractual objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) years relevant legal experience, as listed above.

• Experience with student loan bond issuances.

• A license in good standing in federal court in the District of Minnesota.

• Knowledge and experience with RFP process, Minnesota Data Practices, Act, and other relevant regulations.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to position self and move sufficiently to perform repetitive tasks.

• Maintain a stationary position for long periods of time.

• Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties.

• Ability to travel to and from courthouses throughout the state.

Additional Requirements

This position requires successful completion of the following:

• SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and past state employees only)

• Criminal History Check

• Employment Reference Check

• Social Security Verification

How to Apply

Applicants must apply to the MN Careers website http://www.mn.gov/careers Job ID 73134. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers .

If you have questions about the position, contact April Kelley at april.kelley@state.mn.us or 651-259-3943 .

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to April Kelley at april.kelley@state.mn.us .

About the Office of Higher Education

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is a cabinet-level agency providing students with financial aid programs and information to help them gain access to postsecondary education. The agency also serves as the state's clearinghouse for date, research, and analysis on postsecondary enrollment, financial aid, finance, and trends.

Why Work for Us

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission

• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs

• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job

• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan

• Training and professional development

• Paid vacation and sick leave

• 12 paid holidays each year

• Paid parental leave

• Low-cost medical and dental coverage

• Prescription drug coverage

• Vision coverage

• Wellness programs and resources

• Employer paid life insurance

• Short-term and long-term disability

• Health care spending and savings accounts

• Dependent care spending account

• Tax-deferred compensation

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Tuition reimbursement

• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and indicate what assistance is needed.